Snack Sunday : Homemade Chex Mix and Garlic-Buttered Popcorn

I love homemade snacks.

While they are not necessarily healthy, at least you have a better understanding of what ingredients are going into them.  Not to mention, you can tailor them to your tastes.

So I decided to have a Snack Sunday and post two of my favorites.  Now that fall is in full swing, they are easy to do and perfect for settling down to watch movies or football.

Don't get me wrong - Chex mix from the store is not bad, but I really only like the corn Chex, the pretzels, and the plain bagel chips (in that order).  I always pick around the breadsticks and the wheat Chex.  So when I make it at home, I only add the ingredients I like.

For one birthday, my mom actually made it for me with strictly corn Chex! (Mr. Vittles made fun of me, but it was delicious.)

So bear in mind that you can customize the mix to include whatever ingredients you like.  General Mills (the makers of Chex cereal) suggests using a mix of wheat, rice, and corn chex (3 C. of each) and 1 C. each of pretzels, mixed nuts, and bite-sized bagel chips.  My recipe below is the way I like it- but as long as it adds up to 12 C. of dry ingredients, you are good to go.

As for the popcorn, I read not long ago on RealSimple.com that you could pop it plain in the microwave.  I was pretty excited because my popcorn popper is a pain to clean & this means one less dish!

Anyway, since the popcorn is plain to start, you can add whatever toppings you like - garlic butter is just a suggestion.  Some other suggestions that might be good are seasoned salt; chili powder & cumin; honey & cinnamon sugar; and parmesan & garlic power.  Get creative!  Just maybe not all of those together :)

Homemade Chex Mix

• 7 C. corn Chex cereal
• 2 C. bite sized bagel chips
• 3 C. mini pretzels (I like the checkerboard ones too)
• 6 T. butter
• 2 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 t. seasoned salt
• 3/4 t. garlic powder
• 1/2 t. onion powder

Preheat oven 250 degrees.  In 9x13 glass dish, or microwave-safe bowl, melt butter.  Stir in seasonings.  Add cereal, pretzels, and bagel chips and stir to coat.  (If in bowl , transfer mixture to a large roasting pan).

Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Let cool and store any leftovers in airtight container.  (Makes 24 half-cup servings).

Recipe slightly adapted from Chex.com


Garlic-Buttered Popcorn

• 1/2 C. unpopped popcorn kernels
• 1 T. canola oil 
• 2 T. butter
• 1/2 t. minced garlic (or 1 small minced clove)
• 1/4 t. salt

Place oil and kernels in large microwave-safe bowl.  Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high (power level 10) until the majority of the kernels have popped, 3-5 minutes.

In small skillet over medium heat, melt butter.  Add minced garlic and saute 30 seconds until fragrant.  Drizzle over popcorn and sprinkle with salt.  Toss to coat and eat warm.


Popcorn recipe from Real Simple; Topping is Original Recipe